Communication is Key

Prayer. If you think about it, it’s just a conversation between the Creator and the created. It’s a beautiful weapon we have. So often, we are told, “pray, pray, pray!” Like it is a chore. I think it’s because of that reason, that we dread it. Also, because we are busy, but I think it’s because it comes across as another thing added to the to-do list, so we like to be too busy to pray. In Ephesians chapter 6, beginning of verse 18, Paul states, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication”. According to the scriptures, prayer ought to be a constant thing, as Paul says, “praying at all times”. Also, 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 17 states, “pray without ceasing”. Ceasing means to stop. So basically it’s saying, “never stop praying”. It is clear that God wants us to be in constant contact with Him. As much as we’ve probably heard the popular quotation, “communication is key”, it is so true. The more we talk with Him, the closer we’ll feel. Now, what should 50% of prayer consist of? Well, like any other conversation, it should be listening. Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. God wants you to yield to what He has to tell you just as much as He wants you to talk. I believe that there are endless ways that God can (and does) reach us, but the three main ways I’ve seen, heard, and experienced consist of: One, hearing from God. Whether from Him directly through His voice to your ears, or through different signs, He will make His point apparent to you. Two, through others. Believe it or not, God uses you to speak to others what He wants to communicate, and the same the other way around. It could be a mentor, a friend, a parent, or even an enemy. God works in mysterious ways, and you’d be surprised with how He will speak to you. Three, His word. God didn’t inspire people to write a super thick book for you to read as a hobby, or to keep the Christian label. God gifted us with the Bible, because it is one of the most consistent ways He communicates! It’s not called the “Word of God” for kicks and giggles, it’s called that because it is His message to us. So, knowing these three major factors of communication, you have every reason to start to yield and take note of what you hear, see, read, or hear from your peers. In a book I’m reading called, “Hearing God” by Nathan Finochio, the whole point of the book is to debunk theories of prayer. One of the things that Finochio states in his book is the idea that we shouldn’t be so concerned with, “what God is going to tell me?”, but rather, “what has God already been trying to tell me?” Its one of those things that kind of punched me in the gut. It kind of reminded me of how a child pulls on the direction of his mother’s face so that she is giving her child her full attention. I was so focused and excited about what God was going to tell me, yet totally blew off the fact that He’s already been trying to communicate with me. Let’s just say this; there’s a reason why “pray, read your Bible, and go to church” are always the go to answers when we can’t come up with an answer in Sunday school. Prayer is more than just telling God about your day and thanking Him for helping you not spill coffee on your sweater for the third day in a row. Prayer is literally the Creator of the Universe talking to His creation. Hold up, what? Yeah. Explain that Google.

-Jak Hilsher

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭ESV

“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!”